Zoe tried to remind herself to be careful. That this was still fragile. But then Jackson exhaled softly, his thumb brushing a slow path along her shin, and the warning in her chest faded.
“I used to hate nights like this,” he said suddenly, eyes fixed on the glow of the TV. “Quiet ones. Couldn’t stand being still.”
Zoe turned toward him, sensing the shift in his tone. “Because of the past?”
He nodded once. “The noise in my head. I used to think if I kept moving, kept working, fixing, doing things—I could outrun it.”
“But now it’s not so bad?” Zoe said, trying to keep hope from coloring her words.
“Oh, it’s still bad,” he said with a chuckle. “But it’s different when I’m with you. The noise quietens down. Not gone, just…quieter.”
Her heart twisted as she brushed her thumb over his knuckles. “You know,” she said softly, “you don’t have to fight it alone. Talking to someone, someone trained for this, might help.”
Jackson didn’t answer right away. “Yeah,” he said finally. “Maybe it’s time. Maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad idea. I’ll start looking. Because I want to get this right—with you.”
“Knock, knock.” Gertie’s voice rang out as she opened the door without waiting for a response.
Zoe instantly sat up straighter, jarring her ankle in the process, and mentally cursing her mother for barging in and ruining the tender moment.
“Oh my goodness, I can’t just walk in like that anymore, can I?” Gertie said cheerfully, beaming at the sight of them curled up together on the couch.
“I was just stopping by to talk shop with Zoe,” she explained breezily to Jackson. “Well done, my dear! Those wedding flowers were gorgeous. I wanted to tell you in person, but it seems you two slipped away before I could.” She winked, already making herself comfortable in the living room.
Then her gaze dropped to Zoe’s ankle. “Now what happened here?”
“Hiking accident, but I’m fine?—”
“And he brought you home and got you Chinese food for dinner?” Gertie practically melted on the spot. She glanced at the TV and gasped. “A romantic comedy? Oh, I have to take a picture! The ladies won’t believe it. You two are so cute!”
Zoe looked apologetically over at Jackson, who, judging by the smile on his face, seemed to be handling her mother better than she was.
“Go ahead. Guess it’ll only help with that competition,” he said easily.
“I know! Can you believe it? Less than three weeks to go, and you two are the front runners just as I knew you would be!” Gertie fumbled with her phone before snapping a picture of them. “Should I post this on social? That’s what everyone does these days, isn’t it? Now what was that app?”
“Mom,” Zoe said firmly, hoping her mom would take the hint and leave them in peace.
“Oh, fine, fine. I’ll figure it out later. You two enjoy your evening.” She started toward the door, then paused. “Oh, I almost forgot. Easter. Where would you like to get takeout from this year?”
Zoe looked over at Jackson. They hadn’t talked about Easter yet, which was only two weeks away. Gertie wasn’t much of a chef in the kitchen, but she always made the holidays feel special with takeout, fancy candles, holiday decorations, and plenty of champagne.
“Takeout? No way. You two should come out to the farm,” Jackson offered.
Gertie beamed at the invitation. “You twoareserious, aren’t you? I knew it! Already spending the holidays together. I’ll add that to my post! See you kids later.” Gertie was humming a tune on her way out.
“You sure you want to spend Easter with my crazy mom?” Zoe asked, half-teasing, half-serious.
“What? I love your mom. But more importantly, I want to spend the holiday with you. That is, if you’re alright with that.”
Zoe weighed her response. Part of her wanted to say of course she wanted to spend the holiday with him, but anotherpart of her held back, wondering if he’d change his mind before the two weeks were up.
“I’d like that,” she said finally, her voice soft. “Easter at the farm.”
“Don’t forget about the annual Hawthorne Easter Egg Hunt and all the baby animals.”
“Oh, now you’re just bribing me with baby goats,” she teased.
“Maybe,” he said with a grin. “Whatever it takes to get you there.”
